Monthly Archives: July 2014

I don’t know – maybe it’s just me, but I sort of like the idea that the graffiti artist (Is there such a word as “graffitist?” Why, yes. Yes, there is.) taking the bus downtown just to mark up the urns in the park beside the Cathedral. And that he/she needed a route schedule to complete the task.

The carved wooden hearts are decorated with milagros, folk art charms which are used in the Americas and whose use can be traced back through Spanish explorers and missionaries to ancient Iberians. Traditionally offered to a symbol of a saint in gratitude for an answered prayer or a reminder of the petitioner’s particular needs. The symbolism is not universal – a heart charm could represent a heart condition or a romance.

Depending on your beliefs, I suppose the use of the milagros as decorative items may have corrupted their original intent.

In accordance with Santa Fe City Ordinance No. 2007-48, a limited number of licenses may be issued by the City for vendors on the historic Santa Fe plaza. In the fall of 2012, 21 licenses were issued for a total of 16 spaces on the Plaza. The licenses are valid for five years. The next selection process will be in 2018. The types of licenses issued include: